Papers and Proceedings of the Thirty-Fourth Annual Meeting of the American Library Association: Held at Ottawa, Canada, June 26-July 2, 1912
Science
Papers and Proceedings of the Thirty-Fourth Annual Meeting of the American Library Association: Held at Ottawa, Canada, June 26-July 2, 1912
American Library Association; Library science -- Congresses
Some libraries are already seriously caring for the training of
their assistants. In the large city libraries positions are filled
chiefly from the training class conducted by the library itself where
a graded service has been established and promotion depends upon
examination. But much of this training, like all library training, is
of necessity technical and professional, rather than cultural. Many
libraries further report staff meetings for general discussion of
library matters, while a few report such meetings for the general book
knowledge of the staff.
From the Dayton, Ohio, public library the report comes that monthly
staff meetings have been held since January, 1908, for various stated
library purposes, and that the members contribute anything of interest
from personal reading which would be suggestive to other members for
their own reading, or helpful to them in dealing with the public.
Library time is allowed for these meetings.
In 1906, Mr. Dana reported that members of the staff met once a week
to discuss library matters in general and to have a report by one
of the class on the literature of some assigned subject. Among the
subjects reported on were, photography, history of literature, French
revolution, French history, travel in Japan, opera, etc.
In 1907, Mr. Brown, of the Buffalo public library reports:
"We have done more staff training this year than was possible
before. Round tables are now held in nearly every department, at
which methods and books are discussed. To this we can trace habits
of greater carefulness and accuracy, a more comprehensive view of
the work as a whole, and happier, better service."
In 1908, the report says:
"The staff round tables--'the part of our work which keeps us keen
and alive' as one member expresses it--have been held as usual. At
these meetings methods of work and books are discussed and frank
talks upon the best means of helping borrowers are given; but the
spirit of sympathy and comradeship which results from meeting
together as library workers and talking over the work, its purpose
and ideals, is really the most valuable and important result of
these meetings."
From Cedar Rapids, 1905, comes the report:
"A meeting of the staff has been held on Thursday mornings for
the discussion of current events and library problems." In 1908:
"The Thursday morning hour has been given to the reading aloud of
poems suggested in Dawson's 'Makers of English poetry.' Some time
was devoted to Browning and Milton. New books were discussed and
current events were considered." In 1909: "The staff has taken up
the study of Brander Matthews' 'Development of the drama,' and has
read several of the Greek tragedies. Current events and new books
were also discussed." In 1910: "The weekly staff meetings have
been continued and are most helpful."
The Cleveland report for 1910 says:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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